Ocean-going ship, an ocean-going vessel with a device for sealing propeller drive shafts, and a device for sealing propeller drive shafts in an ocean-going vessel

ABSTRACT

In an ocean-going ship or vessel, a device is used to seal propeller drive shafts and has an inner bush that guides the drive shaft. The inner bush is for its part guided in an outer bush and has an inside diameter that is greater than an outside diameter of the drive shaft to be guided The inner bush has at least one oil or grease channel which is provided with at least one discharge opening in the vicinity of an inner side of the inner bush and can be connected to an oil or grease transport device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to an ocean-going ship, such as, but notlimited to, ocean liners, warships, cruise ships, and large cargo ships.This invention further relates to an ocean-going vessel with a devicefor sealing propeller drive shafts from intrusion of unwanted materials,such as sea water. This invention also relates to a device for sealingpropeller drive shafts in an ocean-going vessel. The inventionadditionally relates to a device for sealing drive shafts that has aninner bush that guides the drive shaft, whereby the inner bush is inturn guided in an outer bush and has an inside diameter that is greaterthan the outside diameter of the drive shaft to be guided.

[0003] 2. Background Information

[0004] Devices of this type are used to guide drive shafts of ships inthe vicinity of their passage through the ship's hull and to guarantee asufficient seal. In one typical embodiment, the outer bush is rigidlybolted to the ship's structure and ring-shaped seal elements are held bythe outer bush so that they perform a sealing function of the outer bushrelative to the inner bush and simultaneously allow a mobility of theinner bush relative to the outer bush. The inner bush has a flange formounting on the ship's propeller.

[0005] A narrow ring-shaped gap generally extends between the inner bushand the drive shaft. In particular when repair work is being performedunder water that requires the extraction of the inner bush from thedrive shaft and its subsequent re-installation, sea water penetratesinto the area of the gap between the inner bush and the drive shaft andcauses crevice corrosion. No effective methods to essentially preventsuch crevice corrosion are currently known. It is also virtuallyimpossible to align the inner bush with the drive shaft under water.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0006] At least one possible object of this invention is to design adevice of the type described above so that essentially or substantially100% protection against corrosion due to penetration of sea water orother unwanted materials can be achieved, and so that it is possible toalign the inner bush under water.

[0007] Another object of this invention is to design a device of thetype described above so that 100% protection against corrosion can beachieved, and so that it is possible to align the inner bush underwater.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The invention teaches that the inner bush has at least onechannel that is provided with at least one discharge opening in thevicinity of an inner side of the inner bush and which channel can beconnected to an oil or grease transport device, such as an oil or greasegun, injector device, or pumping device.

[0009] As a result of the location and orientation of the channel, it ispossible to transport oil or grease by means of the oil or greasetransport device into the area of the gap between the drive shaft andthe inner bush, and if necessary for the oil or grease to displace anywater that may be in the vicinity of the annular gap. On account of therelatively small size of the annular gap, the oil or grease prevents therepeated penetration of water into the gap.

[0010] The direction of the displacement of undesired media between theinner bush and the drive shaft can be determined by positioning thedischarge opening of the oil or grease channel in an area of the innerbush that faces the ship's propeller.

[0011] In an additional variant, the discharge opening of the oil orgrease channel can be positioned in an area of the inner bush that facesaway from the ship's propeller.

[0012] Displacement toward both sides can be promoted by the fact thatthe discharge opening of the oil or grease channel is located in an areaof the inner bush that opens toward the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

[0013] Improved access for the displacement medium to achieve an optimumdisplacement action can be promoted if the inner bush is provided in thevicinity of its inside facing the drive shaft with a depression on theinside which is bounded by radial webs.

[0014] A uniform oil or grease distribution can also be promoted if thedepression on the inside has a shape that corresponds to a the outersurface of a cylinder.

[0015] The invention teaches that a further improvement of thedisplacement can be achieved by using wiping processes if at least onedisplacement element is located in the vicinity of the depression on theinside.

[0016] In one embodiment that is particularly simple to realize in termsof design and construction, the displacement element has a ring-likeshape.

[0017] The inner bush can be supported in the vicinity of both ends bytwo displacement elements that are located in the vicinity of thedepression on the inside.

[0018] To improve the sealing action as well as the orientation of thebushing with respect to the shaft, the invention teaches that at leastone of the displacement elements can have a taper, the inclination ofwhich relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft corresponds to oris the same as the inclination of a diagonal flank of the depression onthe inside.

[0019] An uncontrolled discharge of the displacement medium from thearea between the inner bush and the drive shaft can be prevented bylocating a seal in the vicinity of at least one of the radial webs.

[0020] In one embodiment that can be realized particularly economically,the seal is realized in the form of an O-ring.

[0021] Contact over a wide area is promoted if the seal is realized inthe form of a guide band or driving band.

[0022] A very high intensity of displacement of undesired media can beachieved, even given the inevitable manufacturing tolerances, if thedisplacement element is provided with at-least one seal.

[0023] An improved sealing action can be achieved by providing thedisplacement element with two seals on each of its sides facing awayfrom each other.

[0024] In one typical embodiment, the inner bush is mounted on a ship'spropeller. In one other possible embodiment, the inner bush can bemounted to a mounting structure on the propeller arrangement. The innerbush can be mounted using bolts, screws, or other types of connectingelements.

[0025] In one other possible embodiment, the grease or oil can beinjected or pushed into the grease or oil channel using a grease or oilpump, gun, injector, or other type of transport mechanism. The greasepump, in at least one possible embodiment, can be attached to theopening to the channel in a sealed, secured, or locked manner by usingbolts, screws, or other appropriate attachment devices. After attachingthe grease pump onto or over the opening, the grease can be forced intothe opening to cause expulsion of undesired media from the gap betweenthe inner bush and the drive shaft. The grease pump can be detached andremoved after completion of the expulsion process, and then anappropriate plug, seal, or cap structure can be placed in or onto theopening.

[0026] In another possible embodiment, a plug or other sealing structurecan be provided to plug up or seal the entry opening to the grease oroil channel. Such a plug or sealing structure could be inserted into orattached to cover the opening after grease or oil has been transportedinto the gap between the inner bush and the drive shaft to push outunwanted media from the gap. The sealing element could essentiallyprevent the grease or oil from escaping back out of the channel into theoutside environment, such as the ocean, upon completion of the injectionprocedure. The sealing structure could be constructed of such materialsas plastic, rubber, or metal.

[0027] The above-discussed embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed further hereinbelow. When the word “invention” is used in thisspecification, the word “invention” includes “inventions”, that is theplural of “invention”. By stating “invention”, the Applicant does not inany way admit that the present application does not include more thanone patentably and non-obviously distinct invention, and maintains thatthis application may include more than one patentably and non-obviouslydistinct invention. The Applicant hereby asserts that the disclosure ofthis application may include more than one invention, and, in the eventthat there is more than one invention, that these inventions may bepatentable and non-obvious one with respect to the other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustratedschematically in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0029]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the passage of a ship's driveshaft through the outer wall of the ship;

[0030]FIG. 2 is an enlarged illustration of Detail II in FIG. 1;

[0031]FIG. 3 is a partial longitudinal section of an inner bush with adrive shaft, in which a displacement element is guided so that it canmove along the gap between the inner bush and the drive shaft;

[0032]FIG. 4 is an illustration similar to FIG. 3 with a different pathof an oil or grease channel inside the inner bush;

[0033]FIG. 5 shows an additional embodiment in which there are twomovable displacement elements;

[0034]FIG. 6 shows an embodiment similar to the one illustrated in FIG.5, although in FIG. 6 the displacement elements are provided with guidebevels;

[0035]FIG. 7 shows an embodiment similar to the one illustrated in FIG.6, and again with modified displacement elements;

[0036]FIG. 8 shows an additional possible embodiment of the inventionshown in FIG. 1, with mounting structures;

[0037]FIG. 9 shows an additional possible embodiment of the inventionshown in FIG. 2, with mounting structures;

[0038]FIG. 10 shows an additional possible embodiment of the inventionas shown in FIG. 3, with a sealing structure;

[0039]FIG. 11 shows an additional possible embodiment of the inventionas shown in FIG. 4, with a sealing structure;

[0040]FIG. 12 shows an additional possible embodiment of the inventionas shown in FIG. 5, with a sealing structure;

[0041]FIG. 13 shows an additional possible embodiment of the inventionas shown in FIG. 6, with a sealing structure;

[0042]FIG. 14 shows an additional possible embodiment of the inventionas shown in FIG. 7, with a sealing structure;

[0043]FIG. 15 shows an ocean-going ship or vessel according to at leastone embodiment of the present invention; and

[0044]FIG. 16 shows a view of a propeller structure connected to anocean-going ship according to at least one embodiment of the presentinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0045]FIG. 15 shows an ocean-going ship or vessel 101. The ocean-goingship 101 has a propeller structure 102 which is designed to providepropulsion to move the ship 101 in a body of water 103, such as an oceanor sea.

[0046]FIG. 16 shows a view of a propeller structure 104 connected to therear portion 105 of an ocean-going ship. The propeller structure 104 isconnected to a drive mechanism 106. The drive mechanism 106 rotates todrive the propeller structure 104 to provide propulsion to move anocean-going ship.

[0047] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, a drive shaft (1) isguided through a ship's structure (2). In the vicinity of the ship'sinterior (3), the drive shaft (1) is guided in a sealed manner by amounting bush (4). In the vicinity of an outside (5) of the ship'sstructure (2), there is an outer bush (6) that is rigidly connected withthe ship's structure (2).

[0048] Inside the outer bush (6), an inner bush (7) is guided andmounted on a ship's propeller (8). The inner bush (7) is thereby pushedonto an outer segment (9) of the drive shaft (1) which projects from theoutside of the ship's structure (2).

[0049]FIG. 2 is an enlargement of Detail II in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 shows inparticular that the outer bush (6) holds a plurality of seal elements(10) that press against the inner bush (7). Consequently, a highlyeffective sealing action can be achieved even with an inner bush (7)that rotates jointly with the drive shaft (1) while the outer bush (6)remains stationary. FIG. 2 also shows that there is a gap (11) thatextends between the drive shaft (1) and the inner bush (7).

[0050] In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the inner bush(7) is provided in the vicinity of its inner side (12) facing the driveshaft (1) with a depression (13) on its inner side. The depression (13)on the inner side is bordered in the direction of the longitudinal axis(14) of the shaft by an inner radial web (15) and an outer radial web(16). The ring-shaped gap (11) extends between the inner radial web (15)and the drive shaft (1) and has essentially the dimensions disclosed bythe prior art. A space between the outer radial web (16) and the driveshaft (1) is larger than the distance between the inner radial web (15)and the drive shaft (1).

[0051] At least one oil or grease channel (17) extends through the innerbush (7), and can be connected to an associated oil or grease transportdevice by means of connecting lines (not shown). The oil or greasechannel (17) is provided with a discharge opening (18) that faces thedrive shaft (1). When the oil or grease transport device is activated,oil or grease is transported via the oil or grease channel (17) to thedischarge opening (18) and displaces any water in the vicinity of thering-shaped gap (11).

[0052] The displacement of the water from the vicinity of thering-shaped gap (11) can be intensified and above all made more uniformif, in the vicinity of the inner recess (11), a displacement element(19) is guided so that it can move in the direction of the longitudinalaxis (14) of the shaft. This arrangement is particularly appropriate ifthe displacement element (19) is in the shape of a ring and is incontact with the drive shaft (1).

[0053]FIG. 3 shows the displacement element (19) in a base position inwhich the displacement element (19) is located at a short distance fromthe discharge opening (18). In this exemplary embodiment, the oil orgrease channel (17) is positioned in the vicinity of an assembly flange(20) of the inner bush (7), so that the discharge opening (18) islocated relatively close to the inner radial web (15). The inner radialweb (15) is thereby provided with a seal (21) that extends between theinner radial web (15) and the drive shaft (1). The displacement element(19) has seals (22) both in the vicinity of its surface facing the driveshaft (1) and in the vicinity of its surfaces facing the inner side (12)of the inner bush (7). The seals (22) can be realized in the form ofO-rings, for example.

[0054] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, seals (22) are locatedin the direction of the longitudinal axis (14) of the shaft in thevicinity of the forward end and the rear end of the displacement element(19) on both sides of the displacement element (19), so that the fourseals (22) in the illustrated cross section essentially define thecorners of a rectangle.

[0055] In addition to the base position of the displacement element (9)shown in solid lines, FIG. 3 also shows in dotted lines the positioningof the displacement element (19) after the completion of the positioningprocess. As a result of pressurization with the oil or grease, thedisplacement element (19) was pressed against the outer radial web (16)and essentially all the water that was in the vicinity of thering-shaped gap (11) and the inside depression (13) was expelled throughthe space between the outer radial web (16) and the drive shaft (1).

[0056]FIG. 4 shows a variant embodiment in which the oil or greasechannel (17) is located with its discharge opening (18) in the vicinityof the outer radial web (16). In this exemplary embodiment, the distancebetween the outer radial web (16) and the drive shaft (1) is less thanthe distance between the inner radial web (15) and the drive shaft (1).In the vicinity of the inner radial web (15) there is no sealing action;for this purpose a seal (23) is positioned between the outer radial web(16) and the drive shaft (1). The technical function is similar to thatof the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2. The only differenceis a reverse direction of movement of the displacement element (19).

[0057]FIG. 5 shows an exemplary embodiment in which the oil or greasechannel (17) empties with its discharge opening (18) in a middle area ofthe length of the inner bush (7) along the longitudinal axis (14) of theshaft into the depression on the inside (13). There are two displacementelements (19) which in turn, in their initial position, are located at aslight distance from the discharge opening (18), and in the-event of apressurization with oil or grease are pushed by the oil or greaseflowing behind them toward the radial webs (15, 16). As a result of theuse of two displacement elements (19), the inner bush (7) is supportedrelative to the drive shaft (10) in the vicinity of both radial webs(15, 16), and there is no need for separate seals in the vicinity of theradial webs (15, 16).

[0058]FIG. 6 shows an exemplary embodiment that is similar to theexemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5. In this case, thedisplacement elements (19) have tapers in the vicinity of their endsfarther from the discharge opening (18), which tapers correspond to acorresponding inclination of the inner side (12) in the vicinity of thedepression on the inside (13). As a result of this wedge-shape, after adisplacement of the displacement elements (19) toward the radial webs(15, 16), the inner bush (7), the displacement elements (19) and thedrive shaft (1) are braced in position relative to one another, whichresults in an improved orientation of the bush. In this exemplaryembodiment, the seals (22) of the displacement elements (19) arepositioned in the vicinity of the half of the displacement elements (19)that is closer to the discharge opening (19).

[0059]FIG. 7 shows an exemplary embodiment which is another variant ofthe exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, in which thedisplacement elements (19) are shorter in the direction of thelongitudinal axis (14) of the shaft. In this case, the tapered portions(24) of the displacement elements (19) and the inclined flanks (25) ofthe terminal areas of the depression on the inside (13) that correspondto them are provided with a greater inclination relative to thelongitudinal axis (14) of the shaft than in the exemplary embodimentillustrated in FIG. 6.

[0060] As a result of this sharp inclination, there is no need forsealing elements (22) in the vicinity of the displacement elements (19),because the wedge effects that occur in the vicinity of the tapers (24)and of the inclined flanks (25) cause both an effective seal as well asan orientation of the inner bush (7) relative to the drive shaft (1).

[0061] The displacement elements (19) can thereby also be elastic orelastomeric, e.g. realized in the form of PU or polyurethane rings whichare compressed for positioning and locking by means of the cams (26, 27)that are provided in the depression on the inside (13).

[0062]FIG. 8 shows an additional possible embodiment of the inventionshown in FIG. 1, with mounting structures 41, 42.

[0063]FIG. 9 shows an additional possible embodiment of the inventionshown in FIG. 2, with mounting structures 41, 42.

[0064]FIG. 10 shows an additional possible embodiment of the inventionas shown in FIG. 3, with sealing structure 51. The sealing structure 51can be in the form of a cap, cover, or plug that can inserted into theopening in the grease channel 17 or attached to cover the opening tosubstantially prevent grease or oil from escaping back out of theopening once the grease or oil has been transported into the channel 17and the gap 11.

[0065]FIG. 11 shows an additional possible embodiment of the inventionas shown in FIG. 4, with sealing structure 51.

[0066]FIG. 12 shows an additional possible embodiment of the inventionas shown in FIG. 5, with sealing structure 51.

[0067]FIG. 13 shows an additional possible embodiment of the inventionas shown in FIG. 6, with sealing structure 51.

[0068]FIG. 14 shows an additional possible embodiment of the inventionas shown in FIG. 7, with sealing structure 51.

[0069] One feature of the invention resides broadly in a device to sealdrive shafts which has an inner bush that guides the drive shaft, whichinner bush is guided in an outer bush and has an inside diameter that islarger than an outside diameter of the drive shaft to be guided,characterized by the fact that the inner bush 7 has at least one oil orgrease channel 17 which is provided with at least one discharge opening18 in the vicinity of an inner side 12 of the inner bush 7 and can beconnected to the oil or grease transport device.

[0070] Another feature of the invention resides broadly in the device,characterized by the fact that the discharge opening 19 of the oil orgrease channel 17 is positioned in an area of the inner bush 7 thatfaces the ship's propeller 8.

[0071] Yet another feature of the invention resides broadly in thedevice, characterized by the fact that the discharge opening 18 of theoil or grease channel 17 is positioned in an area of the inner bush 7that faces away from the ship's propeller 8.

[0072] Still another feature of the invention resides broadly in thedevice, characterized by the fact that the discharge opening 19 of theoil or grease channel 17 is located in a middle area of the inner bush 7in the direction of a longitudinal axis 14 of the shaft.

[0073] A further feature of the invention resides broadly in the device,characterized by the fact that the inner bush, in the vicinity of itsinner side 12 facing the drive shaft 1, is provided with a depression onthe inside 13 that is bordered by radial webs 15, 16.

[0074] Another feature of the invention resides broadly in the device,characterized by the fact that the depression on the inside 13 has aconfiguration that corresponds to the external surface of a cylinder.

[0075] Yet another feature of the invention resides broadly in thedevice, characterized by the fact that at least one displacement element19 is guided in the vicinity of the depression on the inside 13.

[0076] Still another feature of the invention resides broadly in thedevice, characterized by the fact that the displacement element 19 has aring shape.

[0077] A further feature of the invention resides broadly in the device,characterized by the fact that two displacement elements 19 are locatedin the vicinity of the depression on the inside 13.

[0078] Another feature of the invention resides broadly in the device,characterized by the fact that at least one of the displacement elements19 has a taper 24, the inclination of which relative to the longitudinalaxis 14 of the shaft corresponds to the inclination of an inclined flank25 of the depression on the inside 13.

[0079] Yet another feature of the invention resides broadly in thedevice, characterized by the fact that a seal 21, 23 is located in thevicinity of at least one of the radial webs 15, 16.

[0080] Still another feature of the invention resides broadly in thedevice, characterized by the fact that the seal 21, 23 is realized inthe form of an O-ring.

[0081] A further feature of the invention resides broadly in the device,characterized by the fact that the seal 21, 23 is realized in the formof an guide band or driving band.

[0082] Another feature of the invention resides broadly in the device,characterized by the fact that the displacement element 19 is providedwith at least one seal 22.

[0083] Yet another feature of the invention resides broadly in thedevice, characterized by the fact that the displacement element 19 hastwo seals on sides facing away from each other.

[0084] Still another feature of the invention resides broadly in thedevice, characterized by the fact that the inner bush 7 is mounted on aship's propeller 8.

[0085] The components disclosed in the various publications, disclosedor incorporated by reference herein, may be used in the embodiments ofthe present invention, as well as equivalents thereof.

[0086] The appended drawings in their entirety, including alldimensions, proportions and/or shapes in at least one embodiment of theinvention, are accurate and are hereby included by reference into thisspecification.

[0087] All, or substantially all, of the components and methods of thevarious embodiments may be used with at least one embodiment or all ofthe embodiments, if more than one embodiment is described herein.

[0088] All of the patents, patent applications and publications recitedherein, and in the Declaration attached hereto, are hereby incorporatedby reference as if set forth in their entirety herein.

[0089] The corresponding foreign patent publication applications,namely, Federal Republic of Germany Patent Application No. 100 40 211.9,filed on Aug. 17, 2000, having inventor Ernst-Peter VON BERGEN, andDE-OS No. 100 40 211.9, having inventor Ernst-Peter VON BERGEN, andDE-PS No. 100 40 211.9, having inventor Ernst-Peter VON BERGEN, as wellas their published equivalents, and other equivalents or correspondingapplications, if any, in corresponding cases in the Federal Republic ofGermany and elsewhere, and the references and documents cited in any ofthe documents cited herein, such as the patents, patent applications andpublications, are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth intheir entirety herein.

[0090] All of the references and documents, cited in any of thedocuments cited herein, are hereby incorporated by reference as if setforth in their entirety herein. All of the documents cited herein,referred-to in the immediately preceding sentence, include all of thepatents, patent applications and publications cited anywhere in thepresent application.

[0091] The details in the patents, patent applications and publicationsmay be considered to be incorporable, at applicant's option, into theclaims during prosecution as further limitations in the claims topatentably distinguish any amended claims from any applied prior art.

[0092] The following U.S. patents are hereby incorporated by referenceas if set forth in their entirety herein: U.S. Pat. No. No. 5,308,269,having attorney docket no. NHL-BVA-38, issued to VON BERGEN and PIETSCHon May 3, 1994; U.S. Pat. No. 5,356,320, having attorney docket no.NHL-BVA-45, issued to VON BERGEN and PIETSCH on Oct. 18, 1994; U.S. Pat.No. 5,492,492, having attorney docket no. NHL-45-D, issued to VON BERGENand PIETSCH on Feb. 20, 1996; U.S. Pat. No. 5,624,290, having attorneydocket no. NHL-BVA-45-D2, issued to VON BERGEN and PIETSCH on Apr. 29,1997; U.S. Pat. No. 5,209,497, having attorney docket no. NHL-BVA-32,issued to VON BERGEN and PIETSCH on May 11, 1993; U.S. Pat. No.5,374,208, having attorney docket no. NHL-BVA-48, issued to VON BERGENand PIETSCH on Dec. 20, 1994; U.S. Pat. No. 5,267,736, having attorneydocket no. NHL-BVA-36, issued to PIETSCH and VON BERGEN on Dec. 7, 1993;U.S. Pat. No. 5,137,116, having attorney docket no. NHL-BVA-30 US,issued to VON BERGEN and PIETSCH on Aug. 11, 1992; and U.S. Pat. No.5,643,026, having attorney docket no. NHL-BVA-51, issued to PIETSCH etal. on Jul. 1, 1997.

[0093] Some examples of propellers, propeller mounts, propeller shafts,and parts for propellers for ocean vessels, features of which may beutilized or adapted for use in the present invention may be found in thefollowing U.S. Pat. No. 5,145,318, issued to Olson on Sep. 8, 1992; U.S.Pat. No. 4,810,166, issued to Sawizky et al. on Mar. 7, 1989; U.S. Pat.No. 3,802,800, issued to Merkx et al. on Apr. 9, 1974; U.S. Pat. No.4,436,313, issued to Tamama et al. on Mar. 13, 1984; U.S. Pat. No.4,831,297, issued to Taylor et al. on May 16, 1989; U.S. Pat. No.4,150,914, issued to Karlsson on Apr. 24, 1979; and U.S. Pat. No.4,242,979, issued to Shima on Jan. 6, 1981.

[0094] Pressure switches which could be incorporated into the presentinvention are disclosed in the following U.S. Patents: U.S. Pat. No.4,150,268 to Stearley, Rowley, and Buckshaw on Apr. 17, 1979, entitled“Pressure Operated Switch Construction Having a One-piece Control shaftBracket Structure”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,158,117 to Quilliam, Gallantree, andWatt, on Jun. 12, 1979, entitled “Pressure Sensitive Switch”; U.S. Pat.No. 4,160,139 to Johnston, on Jul. 3, 1979, entitled “Pressure SensitiveSwitch”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,165,650 to Weissler, on Aug. 28, 1979, entitled“Dual Purpose Pressure Sensor”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,168,415 to Edwards,Penland, Warren, Roberts, on Sep. 18, 1979, entitled “Pressure SwitchHaving Modular Construction”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,182,941 to Tashiro onJan. 8, 1980, entitled “Improved Pressure Switch”.

[0095] Relief valves which could be incorporated into the presentinvention are disclosed in the following U.S. Patents: U.S. Pat. No.4,142,549 to Autry on Mar. 6, 1979, entitled “Relief Valve”; U.S. Pat.No. 4,168,723 to Schneider on Sep. 25, 1979, entitled “Pressure ReliefValve”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,178,940 to Au on Dec. 18, 1979, entitled“Pressure Control Systems”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,185,652 to Zintz,Fisher, and Gee on Jan. 29, 1980 entitled “Subaqueous Sequence ValveMechanism”.

[0096] Solenoid valves which could be incorporated into the presentinvention are disclosed in the following U.S. Patents: U.S. Pat. No.4,177,774 to Moshal on Dec. 11, 1979, entitled “Control Valves”; U.S.Pat. No. 4,180,241 to Fiedler on Dec. 25, 1979, entitled “SolenoidOperated Valve and Shut-Off Device”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,195,667 toMoore and Price on Apr. 1, 1980 entitled “Solenoid Valve with SafetyControl Circuit”.

[0097] Manometers which could be incorporated into the present inventionare disclosed in the following U.S. Patents: U.S. Pat. No. 4,154,116, toStahn and Gygax on May 15, 1979, entitled “Safety Manometer”; U.S. Pat.No. 4,157,043 to Peterson and Cianci on Jun. 5, 1979, entitled “MaximumPressure Manometer”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,217,784 to Neubeck and Julien onAug. 19, 1980, entitled “Tube Spring Manometer”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,967,600to Keller on Nov. 6, 1990 entitled “Manometer”; and U.S. Pat. No.4,297,081 to Irvin on Oct. 10, 1981 entitled “Liquid Level ControlSystem”.

[0098] Examples of control systems for valves which could beincorporated into the present invention are disclosed in the followingU.S. Patents: U.S. Pat. No. 5,218,997 to Dunwoody on Jun. 15, 1993,entitled “Digital Hydraulic Valve Control”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,280,770 toSatou, Takahashi, and Kitagawa on Jan. 25, 1994, entitled “VariableValve Actuation Control System”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,752,258 to Hochleitnerand Gross on Jun. 21, 1988 entitled “Device for Controlling a CycloidPropeller for Watercraft”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,318,269 to Oettinger andLatt on Jun. 7, 1994, entitled “Electronic Control System for MagneticValves Operated Individually or in Cascade”.

[0099] Examples of control systems for ships which could be incorporatedin the present invention are disclosed in the following U.S. Patents:U.S. Pat. No. 4,301,759 to de Vries on Nov. 24, 1981 entitled “ControlSystem, Particularly for Use on Ships”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,222,901 toBurkenpas on Jun. 29, 1993 entitled “Redundant Marine Engine ControlSystem”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,336,120 to Maurer, Braig, Auer, Goebel, Schwarzand Voss on Aug. 9, 1994, entitled “Control System for Operating aShip's Motive Installation”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,388,542 to Fischer, Drohulaand Luneburg on Feb. 14, 1995 entitled “Water-Borne Ship and Method ofOperation Thereof”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,038,269 to Grimble and Fairbairn onAug. 6, 1991 entitled “Industrial Control Systems”; and U.S. Pat. No.5,170,338 to Moritoki, Hagiwara, and Katayama on Dec. 8, 1992, entitled“Apparatus for Carrying Out Serial Control and Method of ControllingSaid Apparatus”.

[0100] Lip seal arrangements which could be incorporated into thepresent invention include the following U.S. Patents: U.S. Pat. No.4,984,811 to Kuwabara and Miyazaki on Jan. 15, 1991 entitled “PressureControl System for Stern Tube Seals” U.S. Pat. No. 5,411,273 to Pietschand von Bergen on May 2, 1995, entitled “Lip Seal to Seal a Shaft, InParticular a Ship's Propeller Shaft”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,219,434 to VonBergen and Pietsch on Jun. 15, 1993 entitled “Sealing Arrangement forRotating Propeller Shafts of Ships”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,137,116 to VonBergen and Pietsch on Aug. 11, 1992 entitled “Sealing Device for aRotating Shaft of a ship Propeller Shaft”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,356,320 toVon Bergen and Pietsch on Oct. 18, 1994 entitled “Seal Arrangement forPropeller Shafts of Ships”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,984,968 to Layerion onJan. 15, 1991 entitled “Variable Pitch Propellers”.

[0101] Manometric switches which could be incorporated into the presentinvention include the following U.S. Patents: U.S. Pat. No. 5,096,392 toGriebel, Kille, and Kistler on Mar. 17, 1992 entitled “Apparatus forConveying Paints”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,740,356 to Huber on Apr. 26, 1988entitled “Device for Producing a Gaseous Measuring Sample for AtomicAbsorption Spectroscopy”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,946,316 to Watermann andSchulze-Heiming on Aug. 7, 1990, entitled “Method and Device for Movinga Shield-Type Support Trestle”.

[0102] Float switches which could be incorporated into the presentinvention include the following U.S. Patents: U.S. Pat. No. 4,919,165 toLloyd on Apr. 24, 1990 entitled “Rainfall Control for IrrigationSystems”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,017,748 to Sapiro on May 21, 1991 entitled“Float Switch With Buoyant Housing and Switch Operating Means Within theHousing”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,049,037 to Carson and Bender on Sep. 17, 1991entitled “Automatic Well Pump Skimmer Level Control”; U.S. Pat. No.5,089,676 to Duncan on Feb. 18, 1992 entitled “Liquid Level FloatSwitch”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,211,363 to Brown on May 18, 1993 entitled“Bilge Pump Bracket”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,742,244 to Koerner on May 3,1988 entitled “Electronic Float Switch Apparatus”.

[0103] Some additional examples of shaft seals for sealing aboutpropeller shafts of ships, including typical lip seals as brieflydescribed above, can be found in the following U.S. Patents which havecommon inventors with the present invention: U.S. Pat. No. 4,395,14 toGünter Pietsch et al., issued on Jul. 26, 1983 and entitled “Bearing andSeal Assembly for Stern Tubes of Vessels”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,413,829 toGünter Pietsch, issued on Nov. 11, 1983 and entitled “Shaft SealingAssembly”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,413,830 to Günter Pietsch, issued on Nov. 8,1983 and entitled “Seal Assembly for Rotating Shafts”; U.S. Pat. No.4,448,425 to Ernst-Peter Von Bergen, issued on May 15, 1984 and entitled“Shaft Seal Assembly with Inflatable Annular Member”; U.S. Pat. No.5,137,116 to Ernst-Peter Von Bergen and Günter Pietsch, issued on Aug.11, 1992 and entitled “Sealing Device for Rotating Shaft of a ShipPropeller Shaft”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,267,736, issued to Pietsch et al. onDec. 7, 1993; U.S. Pat. No. 5,209,497, issued to von Bergen et al. onMay 11, 1993; U.S. Pat. No. 5,308,269, issued to von Bergen et al. onMay 3, 1994; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,411,273, issued to Pietsch et al. onMay 2, 1995.

[0104] Some additional examples of drive shafts and/or drive shaftseals, features of which may be incorporated into the present invention,can be found in the following U.S. Patents: U.S. Pat. No. 4,417,881,issued to Dyson on Nov. 29, 1983; U.S. Pat. No. 5,503,404, issued toNewton et al. on Apr. 2, 1996; U.S. Pat. No. 5,639,098, issued toMacDonald on Jun. 17, 1997; U.S. Pat. No. 5,911,607, issued to Lacko etal. on Jun. 15, 1999; U.S. Pat. No. 6,039320, issued to MacDonald onMar. 21, 2000; U.S. Pat. No. 6,113,499, issued to Braun et al. on Sep.5, 2000; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,273,428 Bi, issued to Sassi on Aug. 14,2001.

[0105] Some examples of O-ring seals, features of which may beincorporated into the present invention, can be found in the followingU.S. Patents: U.S. Pat. No. 5,490,680, issued to Patel et al. on Feb.13, 1996; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,312,116, issued to Quaglia on May 17,1994.

[0106] Some additional examples of O-ring gaskets and O-ring gasketseals for use on ships, features of which may be utilized or adapted foruse in the present invention, can be found in the following U.S.patents: U.S. Pat. No. 4,696,362, issued to Wilson, et al. on Sep. 29,1987; U.S. Pat. No. 5,089,972, issued to Nachman, et al. on Feb. 18,1992; U.S. Pat. No. 5,174,222, issued to Rogers on Dec. 29, 1992; andU.S. Pat. No. 6,056,610, issued to Fontanille on May 2, 2000.

[0107] Some examples of oil channels, features of which may be utilizedor adapted for use in the present invention, can be found in thefollowing U.S. Patents: U.S. Pat. No. 4,348,914, issued Kawamoto on Sep.14, 1982; U.S. Pat. No. 5,195,400, issued to Hayakawa et al. on Mar. 23,1993; U.S. Pat. No. 4,971,185, and issued to Hayakawa et al. on Nov. 20,1990.

[0108] Some examples of ship drives and propeller shafts, features ofwhich may be utilized or adapted for use in the present invention, canbe found in the following U.S. patents: U.S. Pat. No. 4,174,672, issuedto Cox on Nov. 20, 1979; U.S. Pat. No. 5,061,212, issued to Morgenthaleret al. on Oct. 29, 1991; U.S. Pat. No. 6,033,271, issued to Schafer onMar. 7, 2000; U.S. Pat. No. 6,050,865, issued to Bohmann et al. on Apr.18, 2000; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,183,317 B1, issued to Schafer on Feb. 6,2001.

[0109] Systems for measuring the draft depth of a ship and pressurecontrol mechanisms which could be utilized in accordance with thepresent invention are disclosed in the following U.S. Patents: U.S. Pat.No. 5,186,428 to Falkenberg on Feb. 16, 1993, entitled “Depth GaugeTranducer Retractor Device”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,534,217 to Caus on Aug. 13,1985, entitled “Measuring the Draft of a Vessel”; U.S. Pat. No.4,622,912 to Bleke on Nov. 18, 1986, entitled “Draft Reduction Systemfor Ships”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,495,880 to Maniscalco et al. on Jan. 29,1985, entitled “Draft Assisted Delivery System”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,266,500to Jurca on May 12, 1981, entitled “Hover Control System for aSubmersible Buoy”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,995,014 to Hoornstra on Feb. 19,1991, entitled “Low Frequency Hydrophone and Depth Sensor Assembly”; andU.S. Pat. No. 5,235,557 to Masreliez on Aug. 10, 1993, entitled“Combined Speed and Depth Sensor Transducer”.

[0110] Some additional examples of seals for ships, features of whichmay be utilized or adapted for use in the present invention can be foundin the following U.S. patents: U.S. Pat. No. 4,090,459, issued toChaplin on May 23, 1978; U.S. Pat. No. 4,494,473, issued to Simpson onJan. 22, 1985; U.S. Pat. No. 4,543,901, issued to Stringer on Oct. 1,1985; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,696,362, issued to Wilson, et al. on Sep. 29,1987.

[0111] Some examples of sealing gaskets and sealing lip gaskets forships, features of which may be utilized or adapted for use in thepresent invention can be found in the following U.S. patents: U.S. Pat.No. 4,476,798, issued to Backus on Oct. 16, 1984 and U.S. Pat. No.6,056,610, issued to Fontanille on May 2, 2000.

[0112] Some examples of wet dock structures for use in constructingand/or repairing ocean vessels or ships, feature of which may beutilized or adapted for use in the present invention may be found in thefollowing U.S. patents: U.S. Pat. No. 4,112,697, issued to Chow on Sep.12, 1978; U.S. Pat. No. 4,015,554, issued to Chow on Apr. 5, 1977; andU.S. Pat. No. 4,003,480, issued to Metrier on Jan. 18, 1977.

[0113] Some examples of plugs for ships, features of which may beutilized or adapted for use in at least one possible embodiment of thepresent invention, can be found in the following U.S. patents: U.S. Pat.No. 4,630,648, issued to McCord on Dec. 23, 1986; and U.S. Pat. No.4,840,414, issued to Ford on Jun. 20, 1989.

[0114] Some examples of grease guns and grease pumps, features of whichmay be utilized or adapted for use in at least one possible embodimentof the present invention, can be found in the following U.S. patents:U.S. Pat. No. 5,323,934, issued to Isert on Jun. 28, 1994; U.S. Pat. No.5,343,982, issued to Min on Sep. 6, 1994; U.S. Pat. No. 5,544,791,issued to Chih on Aug. 13, 1996; U.S. Pat. No. 5,616,014, issued to Tsaion Apr. 1, 1997; U.S. Pat. No. 5,730,250, issued to Tsai on Mar. 24,1998; U.S. Pat. No. 5,779,105, issued to Brown, et al.; U.S. Pat. No.5,826,753, issued to Fehlig, et al. on Oct. 27, 1998; U.S. Pat. No.5,884,818, issued to Campbell on Mar. 23, 1999; U.S. Pat. No. 6,068,164,issued to Totaro on May 30, 2000; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,135,327, issued toPost, et al. on Oct. 24, 2000.

[0115] The invention as described hereinabove in the context of thepreferred embodiments is not to be taken as limited to all of theprovided details thereof, since modifications and variations thereof maybe made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An ocean-going ship, said ocean-going shipcomprising a device to seal propeller drive shafts which has an innerbush that guides the drive shaft, which inner bush is guided in an outerbush and has an inside diameter that is larger than an outside diameterof the drive shaft to be guided, characterized by the fact that theinner bush (7) has at least one oil or grease channel (17) which isprovided with at least one discharge opening (18) in the vicinity of aninner side (12) of the inner bush (7) and can be connected to the oil orgrease transport device.
 2. The ship as claimed in claim 1,characterized by the fact that the discharge opening (19) of the oil orgrease channel (17) is positioned in an area of the inner bush (7) thatfaces the ship's propeller (8).
 3. The ship as claimed in claim 1,characterized by the fact that the discharge opening (18) of the oil orgrease channel (17) is positioned in an area of the inner bush (7) thatfaces away from the ship's propeller (8).
 4. The ship as claimed inclaim 1, characterized by the fact that the discharge opening (19) ofthe oil or grease channel (17) is located in a middle area of the innerbush (7) in the direction of a longitudinal axis (14) of the shaft. 5.The ship as claimed in claim 1, characterized by the fact that the innerbush, in the vicinity of its inner side (12) facing the drive shaft (1),is provided with a depression on the inside (13) that is bordered byradial webs (15, 16).
 6. The ship as claimed in claim 5, characterizedby the fact that the depression on the inside (13) has a configurationthat corresponds to the external surface of a cylinder.
 7. The ship asclaimed in claim 6, characterized by the fact that at least onedisplacement element (19) is guided in the vicinity of the depression onthe inside (13).
 8. The ship as claimed in claim 7, characterized by thefact that the displacement element (19) has a ring shape.
 9. The ship asclaimed in claim 8, characterized by the fact that two displacementelements (19) are located in the vicinity of the depression on theinside (13).
 10. The ship as claimed in claim 9, characterized by thefact that at least one of the displacement elements (19) has a taper(24), the inclination of which relative to the longitudinal axis (14) ofthe shaft corresponds to the inclination of an inclined flank (25) ofthe depression on the inside (13).
 11. The ship as claimed in claim 10,characterized by the fact that a seal (21, 23) is located in thevicinity of at least one of the radial webs (15, 16).
 12. The ship asclaimed in claim 11, characterized by the fact that the seal (21, 23) isrealized in the form of an O-ring.
 13. The ship as claimed in claim 11,characterized by the fact that the seal (21, 23) is realized in the formof a guide band or driving band.
 14. The ship as claimed in claim 12,characterized by the fact that the displacement element (19) is providedwith at least one seal (22).
 15. The ship as claimed in claim 14,characterized by the fact that the displacement element (19) has twoseals on sides facing away from each other.
 16. The ship as claimed inclaim 15, characterized by the fact that the,inner bush (7) is mountedon a ship's propeller (8).
 17. In an ocean-going vessel, a device toseal drive shafts which has an inner bush that guides the drive shaft,which inner bush is guided in an outer bush and has an inside diameterthat is larger than an outside diameter of the drive shaft to be guided,characterized by the fact that the inner bush (7) has at least one oilor grease channel (17) which is provided with at least one dischargeopening (18) in the vicinity of an inner side (12) of the inner bush (7)and can be connected to the oil or grease transport device.
 18. Thedevice as claimed in claim 17, characterized by the fact that thedischarge opening (19) of the oil or grease channel (17) is positionedin one of: an area of the inner bush (7) that faces the ship's propeller(8); an area of the inner bush (7) that faces away from the ship'spropeller (8); a middle area of the inner bush (7) in the direction of alongitudinal axis (14) of the shaft.
 19. The device as claimed in claim18, characterized by the fact that the inner bush, in the vicinity ofits inner side (12) facing the drive shaft (1), is provided with adepression on the inside (13) that is bordered by radial webs (15, 16);the depression on the inside (13) has a configuration that correspondsto the external surface of a cylinder; at least one displacement element(19) is guided in the vicinity of the depression on the inside (13); andthe displacement element (19) has a ring shape.
 20. The device asclaimed in claim 19, characterized by the fact that two displacementelements (19) are located in the vicinity of the depression on theinside (13); at least one of the displacement elements (19) has a taper(24), the inclination of which relative to the longitudinal axis (14) ofthe shaft corresponds to the inclination of an inclined flank (25) ofthe depression on the inside (13); a seal (21, 23) is located in thevicinity of at least one of the radial webs (15, 16); and the seal (21,23) is realized in the form of an O-ring or a guide band or drivingband; the displacement element (19) is provided with at least one seal(22); the displacement element (19) has two seals on sides facing awayfrom each other; and the inner bush (7) is mounted on a ship's propeller(8).